E-mail to a Friend

  Printable Version

The Technical Assistance Centers are a partnership between Family Caregiver Alliance and the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center. The Centers provide technical assistance to the Aging and Lifespan Respite Networks on caregiver and lifespan respite program development. Volume II, Number 4 June 2011 Quick Links Technical Assistance Center: Caregiver Programs Technical Assistance Center: Lifespan Respite ARCH Respite Locator Search for Respite   FCA's Fact Sheets & Publications ARCH's Fact Sheets & Publications   Subscribe The Newsletter of the Technical Assistance Centers Caregiving PolicyDigest Email Us Technical Assistance Center: Caregiver Programs (FCA) Technical Assistance Center: Lifespan Respite (ARCH) Give Us Your Feedback You can further shape the content of the Newsletter and the activities of the Technical Assistance Centers by telling us about your areas of interest. FCA's on Facebook. Get updates about caregiving by clicking the "Like" button. Respite on Facebook. Get updates about respite by clicking the "Like" button. In this issue In the Spotlight Upcoming Events Research & Practice Lifespan Respite News In the Spotlight  VA's New Caregiver Support Line The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently opened a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line. The support line serves as a primary resource/referral center to assist caregivers, veterans and others seeking caregiver information to help in the care of our nation's veterans. It recognizes the significant contributions made by caregivers which allow veterans to remain at home surrounded by family and friends. Calls to the National Caregiver Support Line will be answered by licensed social workers, and emotional support for the caregiver is an integral component of this service. The Support Line provides information on VA and community caregiver support resources and referrals to dedicated Caregiver Support Coordinators located in every VA Medical Center. The Care Support Coordinators locate assistance tailored to the person's situation. The National Caregiver Support Line is also available for inquiries about the caregiver benefits associated with Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. During a recent interview, Margaret Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM, National Program Manager of the VA Caregiver Support Program and Pamela Wright, BSW, MSW, LCSW-R, National Program Manager of the VA Support Line responded to some important questions about the new service... Read their responses Upcoming Events To see the full description of the event, click on the date. June 2011 June: Applications for the 4th annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiving Legacy Awards now online. July 2011 July 1: Application deadline for the Rosalynn Carter Leadership in Caregiving Awards. July 16-20: The Annual Conference and Tradeshow of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). Research & Practice   Technology and Caregiving: Studies Update Field Three recent studies update the thinking on the number of caregivers who use technology and how caregivers use the Internet for connecting with other family and friends, researching health information and locating services for themselves or family members. . . Read more   Changes in Diagnosis Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease New criteria and guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease have been published----for the first time in 27 years----by three expert workgroups spearheaded by the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). . . Read more   Alzheimer's Association Recognizes Congressional Supporters of Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act The Alzheimer's Association commended Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Edward Markey (D-MA) for their leadership in introducing the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act (H.R.1897) in the U.S. House of Representatives. . . Read more     FCA Blogs! Executive Director, Kathleen Kelly, and dedicated FCA staff writers will continue to cover a range of issues and current trends in the FCA Blog. You are invited to join the discussion and post a comment of your own.      Innovations Clearinghouse on Family Caregiving For additional research-based information and informed practices, visit FCA's Innovations Clearinghouse/Online Technical Assistance Center. Search the Clearinghouse to identify best practices, specific tools and policy & advocacy efforts; connect with fellow professionals from the aging networks; and request specialized technical assistance.     Give Us Your Feedback You can further shape the content of the Newsletter and the activities of the Technical Assistance Centers by telling us about your areas of interest. Please respond to our brief questionnaire. Lifespan Respite News    2011 National Lifespan Respite Conference, The Many Faces of Respite, November 1-4, Glendale, AZ This year's 2011 National Lifespan Respite Conference will be held in Glendale, AZ, from November 1-3, 2011. The conference is being hosted by the AZ Caregiver Coalition in collaboration with the ARCH National Respite Network. The theme of this year's conference, The Many Faces of Respite, will celebrate cultural diversity among family caregivers and will explore innovative and culturally responsive respite services to support caregivers. . . . Read more     Making Respite More Effective Dr. Dale Lund, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology and Co-Director, Center for the Promotion of Health Disparities Research and Training at the California State University San Bernardino presented at the 2009 National Respite Conference in California on respite time-use suggesting that family caregivers' use of respite time was a determining factor in the extent to which the family caregiver benefits from the respite received. . . Read more      Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: Network for Action! June 21-22, 2011 ARCH has been selected by the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect, US Dept of Health and Human Services, to present as one of twelve Strategic Projects. The meeting presents a unique opportunity to learn how you can help engage the child abuse prevention community in Lifespan Respite and about other innovative and collaborative abuse prevention strategies in your state! . . . Read more     Give ARCH your Feedback We Need Your Input! The AoA funded Lifespan Respite Training and Technical Assistance Project of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center would greatly appreciate your input in planning its training and TA activities. Please take a moment to respond to our online questionnaire.   Family Caregiver Alliance  |  National Center on Caregiving 180 Montgomery Street, Suite 900 San Francisco, CA 94104 (800) 445-8106 www.caregiver.org ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center 4016 Oxford Street Annandale, VA 22003 (703) 256-2084 www.archrespite.org This project is supported, in part, under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions.  These contents, however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed. 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance. All rights reserved. The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance works to advance the development of high-quality and cost-effective policies and programs for caregivers in every state in the country. The National Center is a central source of information and technical assistance on family caregiving for policymakers, health and service providers, program developers, funders, media and families. For questions or further information about the National Center on Caregiving, visit the Family Caregiver Alliance website at www.caregiver.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Newsletter of the Technical Assistance Centers, use the following link: www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2366 Or, contact Family Caregiver Alliance using our toll-free phone number: (800) 445-8106 Your subscription information is used only for the purpose of improving this service and tailoring it to the needs of its audience. Information provided to us will not be shared with any other organization, agency, corporation, entity or third party. The Newsletter of the Technical Assistance Centers is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance, 180 Montgomery Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94104.

In the Spotlight

VA's New Caregiver Support Line

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently opened a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line. The support line serves as a primary resource/referral center to assist caregivers, veterans and others seeking caregiver information to help in the care of our nation's veterans. It recognizes the significant contributions made by caregivers which allow veterans to remain at home surrounded by family and friends. Calls to the National Caregiver Support Line will be answered by licensed, clinical social workers, and emotional support for the caregiver is an integral component of this service. The Support Line provides information on VA and community caregiver support resources and referrals to dedicated Caregiver Support Coordinators located in every VA Medical Center. The Care Support Coordinators locate assistance tailored to the person's situation. The National Caregiver Support Line is also available for inquiries about the caregiver benefits associated with Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.

During a recent interview, Margaret Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM, National Program Manager, of the VA Caregiver Support Program and Pamela Wright, BSW, MSW, LCSW-R, National Program Manager of the VA Support Line responded to the following questions about the new service:

What prompted development of the National Caregiver Support Line?

Development of the Caregiver Support Line was a way to address the need voiced by veterans and their family caregivers for one place to go to obtain information about programs and services that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers and to identify community services. The VA understands the many challenges faced by family caregivers as they care for veterans at home. One of the ways in which the VA supports them is to provide the Support Line to ensure that they are well informed about the resources available to assist them and the veterans. Licensed social workers staff the Support Line and provide opportunities for caregivers to have supportive counseling available.

What can callers expect from the National Caregiver Support Line?

Callers to the Support Line can ask questions, seek direction for services or simply seek support from trained staff members. The staff members will listen to them, assist them and refer them to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their closest VA Medical Center, if the caller agrees, and help link them to a wide array of services and programs available through the VA and their local communities.

What might be a typical call and how would it be handled?

The call is answered by one of the Caregiver Support Line staff who will first establish rapport with the caller and then ask some questions to better understand the needs of the caregiver. The questions typically include what kinds of care the veteran being cared for requires and what type of support is already in place for the caregiver. The Support Line staff evaluates the urgency of the caregiver's need and what type of resource or service could best meet that need. The caller and the staff member then discuss other options including support from family and friends, local resources through the chapters of national organizations like the Alzheimer's Association, other agencies like the local Area Agency on Aging, or may even brainstorm other resources such as the caregiver's church or school. The VA has stationed Caregiver Support Coordinators at each of its medical centers across the nation. One of the roles of the Support Line is to connect caregivers to a support system near their homes. The Support Line staff help to make this connection.

Are there any future plans for the NCSL?

The Support Line recently expanded its hours by partnering with the Veterans Affairs' Crisis Line. A live person will be able to answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A new website, www.caregiver.va.gov, will be launched in June 2011 and the VA is currently exploring initiatives that will allow caregivers to ask a question on the website that will be answered by the Support Line staff through a secure messaging system and there is the possibility in the future of having 'live chats' with Support Line staff.

How does a caregiver of a veteran reach the National Caregiver Call Center?

Upcoming Events

Online Applications Now Open for 2011 Caregiver Legacy Awards

June 2011

Family Caregiver Alliance announces that applications for the fourth annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy are now online at www.caregiver.org. The innovation awards are given in three categories: Creative Expression, Diverse & Multicultural Communities, and Policy & Advocacy.

Rosalynn Carter Leadership in Caregiving Award Application Deadline

July 1, 2011

The application deadline for the Rosalynn Carter Leadership in Caregiving Award is July 1st. This award recognizes leadership in implementing innovative partnerships between community agencies and caregiving researchers that bridge the gap between science and practice. Visit the Rosalynn Carter website for more details.

July 16-20 2011

This year the Annual Conference and Tradeshow of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) will be held July 16-20 in Washington, DC. The conference attracts professionals who support the national network of area agencies on aging and Title VI Native American Aging Programs.

Research and Practice

Technology and Caregiving: Studies Update Field

Three recent studies update the thinking on the number of caregivers who use technology and how caregivers use the Internet for connecting with other family and friends, researching health information and locating services for themselves or family members:

The e-Connected Family Caregiver: Bringing Caregiving into the 21st Century study, released by the National Alliance for Caregiving and UnitedHealthcare, found that more than two-thirds of family caregivers who have used some form of technology to help them with caregiving believe web-based and mobile technologies designed to facilitate caregiving would be useful to them. In the survey, caregivers have the greatest receptivity to personal health records, caregiving coordination systems, medication support systems, caregiver training simulations and caregiving decision support programs (NAC, 2011). Caregivers under age 50 and early adopters are most likely to be receptive to new technologies but issues of cost, learning curves on using new technologies and privacy issues were seen as potential barriers to usage across all caregivers surveyed. Of those surveyed, 70% reported having used the Internet for caregiving-related information or support, 47% used an electronic organizer or calendar in some way related to caregiving; 11% participated in a blog or online forum and 41% used some other technology device that assisted with caregiving.

The Home Tweet Home: The Age Lesson Boomer Social Media Study used a panel of identified baby boomer caregivers who had visited at least one caregiver site to determine how they used their time on the web. While personal interviews found that caregivers are using the web to find health information and community resources, they are also using a wide variety of sites to manage finances, coordinate care, make appointments, arrange support services and monitor medications for their parents, other relatives and friends. The top site for these baby boomer caregivers is Facebook which many noted as an efficient way to communicate with family and friends around caregiving issues. Four shopping sites were among the top ten indicating online shopping and shipping directly to home as a useful function for caregivers. Other social networking sites such as LinkedIn.com, MyLife.com and Twitter.com were also used for baby boomer caregivers—most often employed and time-starved—to stay in touch with professionals and friends. Thirty percent listed Yelp.com as a top site for referencing feedback from other users of goods and services in local communities.

In national telephone surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project, interviewers found that caregivers look online for the same information that they seek from health and social service professionals: medical and treatment information; planning assistance; suggestions on coping with troublesome behaviors or complex situations; help with decisions about care or treatment; advice on legal and financial issues; and community resources.

Changes in Diagnosis Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease

For the first time in 27 years, new criteria and guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease have been published by three expert workgroups spearheaded by the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The information is compiled in four articles, collectively named the National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease. The guidelines expand the definition of Alzheimer's disease to include two new phases.

Alzheimer's Association Recognizes Congressional Supporters of Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act

The Alzheimer's Association commended Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Edward Markey (D-MA) for their leadership in introducing the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act (H.R.1897) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, if passed, will increase federal funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer of the Alzheimer's Association, "This legislation requires the NIH to assess and prioritize the scientific opportunities that exist...".

For the full article, visit The Alzheimer's Association website.

Lifespan Respite News

2011 National Lifespan Respite Conference, The Many Faces of Respite, November 1-4, Glendale, AZ

This year's 2011 National Lifespan Respite Conference will be held in Glendale, AZ, from November 1-3, 2011. The conference is being hosted by the AZ Caregiver Coalition in collaboration with the ARCH National Respite Network. The theme of this year's conference, The Many Faces of Respite, will celebrate cultural diversity among family caregivers and will explore innovative and culturally responsive respite services to support caregivers. Conference attendees will participate in a range of exciting and informative sessions designed to advance the policy, research, and programmatic aspects of respite on three tracks: Service Delivery Innovations, Diversity and Cultural Issues, and Network Building. The conference is open to everyone interested in respite, including family caregivers and care recipients, respite and crisis nursery providers, state and federal agencies, community and faith-based organizations, national and state aging, disability, and child serving organizations, state Lifespan Respite grantees and their stakeholders, State Respite Coalitions, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, businesses, researchers, policymakers and advocates. A post-conference event for Lifespan Respite Grantees and their designated partners will be held on November 4, 2011, at the same location. Register soon at the ARCH National Respite Network Events page. For more information about the conference and its location, as well as the preconference AZ State Lifespan Respite Summit, visit the Many Faces of Respite at the AZ Caregiver Coalition.

Making Respite More Effective

Dr. Dale Lund, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology and Co-Director, Center for the Promotion of Health Disparities Research and Training at the California State University San Bernardino presented at the 2009 National Respite Conference in California on respite time-use suggesting that family caregivers' use of respite time was a determining factor in the extent to which the family caregiver benefits from the respite received. A new study he coauthored found that employed caregivers were generally more satisfied with respite time-use than nonemployed caregivers. Employed caregivers were also more likely to do activities they had desired to do, suggesting they may have clearer expectations about what they could accomplish during respite. Although most employed caregivers considered employment to be a valuable and desired form of respite, lack of free time outside of work and caregiving was stressful. Similarly, nonemployed caregivers expressed a desire to do activities they wanted to do, rather than only those related to caregiving and household maintenance. These results suggest that both employed and nonemployed caregivers might benefit from better respite time-use. The Family Caregiver Alliance /ARCH Technical Assistance Centers on Caregiving and Lifespan Respite sponsored a Webinar in which Dr. Lund discussed this study. Practice and policy suggestions that might enhance caregivers' use of respite time were provided. The Webinar was held on June 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm eastern time (Noon, Pacific time). Information from the presentation was well received. Dr. Lund is also the coauthor of the very useful brochure for family caregivers as well as professionals, Respite Services: Enhancing the Quality of Daily Life for Caregivers and Care Receivers. Updated (June 2010) versions of the brochure are now available: Download the English version | Download the Spanish version

Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: Network for Action! June 21-22, 2011

ARCH has been selected by the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect, US Dept of Health and Human Services, to present as one of twelve Strategic Projects. The goal of the project, Engaging the Child Abuse Prevention Community in State Lifespan Respite Systems, will be to encourage involvement of the federally funded Community-based Child Abuse Prevention Program (CBCAP) state grantees, Home Visiting Grantees and others in the National Prevention Network in the planning and implementation of state Lifespan Respite Programs, and to present evidence on the value of respite and crisis nurseries in helping to prevent child abuse and neglect. The meeting presents a unique opportunity to learn how you can help engage the child abuse prevention community in Lifespan Respite and about other innovative and collaborative abuse prevention strategies in your state! There is no registration fee to attend the conference which is being held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA on June 21‐ 22, 2011. For more information about Registration visit the FRIENDS, National Resource Center website

Give ARCH your Feedback

We Need Your Input! The AoA funded Lifespan Respite Training and Technical Assistance Project of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center would greatly appreciate your input in planning its training and TA activities. Please take a moment to respond to our online questionnaire.

  © 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the express permission of Family Caregiver Alliance. 

  E-mail to a Friend

  Printable Version